Chris Adams
- austinbignall07
- Dec 30, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
NFL Draft Profile: Chris Adams
Position:Â Offensive Tackle (LT/RT) | School:Â Memphis (via Old Dominion) | Class:Â Redshirt Senior
Height:Â 6'5" | Weight:Â 277 lbs | Archetype:Â Pass Blocker (Athletic Swing Tackle)
College Career Summary
Chris Adams is the definition of an "Ironman." After redshirting at Old Dominion in 2021, he suffered a season-ending injury just one game into 2022. He responded by playing every single offensive snap for the Monarchs in 2023, showcasing rare durability and versatility by starting at both tackle spots. Following a high-profile transfer to Memphis for the 2024 season, he anchored the Tigers' blindside, earning a spot on the Senior Bowl Top 300 list.
In the 2025 season, Adams served as the veteran pillar for a high-powered Memphis offense. While he lacks the massive 320-pound frame of traditional SEC tackles, his technical refinement and elite footwork allowed him to handle some of the AAC's best edge rushers. He enters the draft process as a highly experienced "swing tackle" prospect with a massive snap count and a reputation for being medically resilient despite early-career setbacks.
Career Stats & Highlights
Career Starts:Â 39 (13 at ODU, 26 at Memphis)
2025 Sacks Allowed:Â 2
2025 Holding Penalties:Â 1
Pancakes:Â ~38 (2025 Season)
Honors:Â 2026 Senior Bowl Top 300; 2024 Frisco Bowl Champion; 2023 ODU Offensive Ironman Award.
2025 Game-by-Game Grades
Week | Opponent | Grade | Scout's Notes |
1 | vs North Alabama | A | Total control in pass protection; zero hurries allowed. |
2 | vs Troy | A- | Paved the way for a 28-7 win; high efficiency on reach blocks. |
3 | @ Florida State | B+ | The Apex. Held his own against elite ACC speed; 0 sacks allowed. |
5 | @ Middle Tenn | B | Solid performance; one pressure allowed on a late-game stunt. |
6 | @ USF | A- | Excellent recovery on a "slip" play; dominant in the screen game. |
8 | vs North Texas | B+ | Facilitated a 500-yard offensive output; technically sound. |
9 | @ Charlotte | B | Standard outing; struggled once with a powerful bull-rush. |
10 | vs Rice | A | Pinned defensive ends inside all night; 4 pancake blocks. |
11 | vs Tulane | C+ | Worst Game. Allowed 1 sack; struggled with Tulane’s interior twists. |
12 | @ UAB | B+ | Clean sheet in pass pro; showed great stamina in the 4th quarter. |
13 | vs Navy | B | Difficult game for tackles; handled the cut-blocking assignments well. |
14 | Bowl Game | A- | Closed career with a dominant performance against Power 5 edge talent. |
Scouting Grade Rubric
Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 95/100
Leadership:Â Plus; vocal leader on the line who helped integrate transfer guards.
Mental Toughness: Elite. Returned from a 2022 season-ending injury to play 1,000+ consecutive snaps.
Competitor:Â High; plays with a "pest" mentality, never giving up on a rep.
Team Player:Â Known for high football character and selflessness during position swaps.
Star:Â Moderate; his value lies in consistency rather than highlight-reel dominance.
Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 72/100
Height/Weight: 6'5", 277 lbs. (Meets height; Fails weight benchmark). Needs 20+ lbs for NFL.
Stamina: Elite. Proven ability to play every snap of a season without decline.
Durability:Â High; essentially an "Ironman" since late 2022.
Injury History:Â Red Flag (2022 knee injury), but has been medically clean for three years since.
Attributes (.20) — Grade: 88/100
Run Block:Â Plus; excellent at "latch and drive," though lacks pure "mauler" mass.
Pass Block: Strength. Uses length and kick-slide to wash rushers past the pocket.
Strength:Â Moderate; weight-room strength is good, but "functional mass" is low for the pros.
Technique:Â High; very well-schooled hand placement and punch timing.
High Motor:Â Constant; a "search and destroy" player on the second level.
Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 92/100
Speed:Â Plus; gets to the second level with the fluidity of a tight end.
Agility: Elite. Lateral mirror skills are his best asset on film.
Flexibility:Â High; natural knee-bender; does not "waist-bend" often.
Acceleration:Â Sudden; fires off the ball with great intent.
Footwork:Â Clinical; very clean, light feet that allow him to recover against counters.
IQ (.20) — Grade: 94/100
Awareness:Â Plus; handles exotic blitzes and twists with high-level processing.
Scouting Report
Strengths:Â Elite athletic profile and lateral mobility; high-level experience at both Left and Right Tackle; statistically one of the most reliable pass protectors in the Group of Five; "Ironman" durability history.
Weaknesses: Critical lack of bulk. At 277 lbs, he is nearly 30 lbs underweight for an NFL starter; will get overpowered by NFL bull-rushers until he adds mass; reach is good but grip strength can be broken by elite hand-fighters.
Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Zone-Run or West Coast system that prizes movement and "space" blocking (e.g., Dolphins, 49ers, Rams).
NFL Comparison:Â Brian O'Neill (Vikings) / Ezra Cleveland.
Scout's Final Word
"Chris Adams is an 'projection' prospect in the truest sense. On film, his feet are 1st-round caliber—he mirrors as well as anyone in the class. However, his current weight is a major hurdle. If a team believes they can put 25 lbs of 'good' weight on him without sacrificing his 4.9-level speed, they have a starting NFL tackle or he can kick inside to guard. For now, he is a developmental 'swing' OL with high technical upside. Draft Projection: 5th - 6th Round."